No More Cannabis Clubs in Washington

Well, looks like the politicians have done it again in Washington with House Bill 2136. Just as state of Washington celebrates one year anniversary of legalization of recreational marijuana, the state decides to reel in certain businesses. The state lawmakers outlawed cannabis social clubs. The Bill was originally meant to tweak the laws to simplify sections of taxes to single sales tax and allow more sales outlets. But the pot advocates got more than expected when the legislators slipped in Section 1401, which banned private cannabis clubs and makes it a felony to engage in such business. This provision basically limits marijuana use to private family residences.

Seattle City Attorney, Pete Holmes has openly criticized the new provision and called, “Frankly, it’s a stupid provision and I think that it’s overkill.”

“Holmes, who helped write the state measure that legalized recreational marijuana, says the state should be paving the way for private cannabis clubs, where tourists and even renters whose landlords don’t allow pot could go and legally use what they’ve purchased. He says it’s important because, by law, public consumption of pot is forbidden.”

Holmes and the City Council had been working on an ordinance to bypass smoking ban relating to private clubs. Pete and some business owners feel they were taken by surprise with this last minute addition to the bill.

“We were unaware the “no private cannabis clubs” provision was even being considered by the state legislature until it had already passed. Holmes says he would have asked Governor Jay Inslee to veto it if he had known it was there.”